Devices for feeding electric current to mobile electric machines

ABSTRACT

This disclosure concerns a device for supplying electric current to machines moving along one or several guide rails in which one or several linear conductors and a unit of current outlets are urged constantly by elastic members against and rub on one or several conductors, the assembly formed by the unit and a core carrying the conductors having a certain freedom of transverse movement relative to the guide to which the core, which is itself rigid or flexible, is secured in a flexible or rigid manner.

United States Patent Inventor Christian Falque 7, rue Franquet, 75 Paris15e, France Appl. No. 769,062 Filed Oct. 21, 1968 Patented Mar. 16,1971Priority Jan. 26, 1968 France 1375 ll DEVICES FOR FEEDING ELECTRICCURRENT TO MOBILE ELECTRIC MACHINES 12 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

U.S. Cl 191/23, 191/45 Int. Cl B601 5/00, B60m l/34 Field ot'Search191/23, 23

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,537,866 1/1951 Tanner191/23 2,958,743 11/1960 Moore 191/23 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. LaPoint Assistant Examiner-George I-I. Libman Attorneys-Robert E. Burnsand Emmanuel J. Lobato ABSTRACT: This disclosure concerns a devicefor'supplying electric current to machines moving along one or severalguide rails in which one or several linear conductors and a unit ofcurrent outlets are urged constantly by elastic members against and rubon one or several conductors, the assembly formed by the unit and a corecarrying the conductors having a certain freedom of transverse movementrelative to the guide to which the core, which is itself rigid orflexible, is

secured in a flexible or rigid manner.

Pa tenl zed March 16, 1971 JSheeis-She'et 2 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 DEVlllC EIFOlt FEEDKNG ELIEQTMC (IlJliltlREhl'l 'lt) MGMLE ELECTRIC MAHHN1ES Thetwo principal successively used ways of supplying current to carriagessupporting movable machines such as blocks, hoisting apparatus, portabletools etc. having wheels and rolling on open or closed aerial rails are,on the one hand, a flexible wire moving with the carriage and followingthe movements thereof, wire which is flexible and possibly in coilsguided by the track itself or outside the same, and on the other hand,linear conductors which are external or internal to rails and arerigidly integral therewith and on which bear permanently current outletsintegral of the carriage.

The device with inner linear conductors with single track used mostusually has various drawbacks. On the one hand, these conductors and thecontinuous or interrupted insulators which support them, themselves faston the rail, occupy a certain space. The total space of the twoconductors is further increased by the standards existing in certaincountries and referring to the mutual spacing of the two conductorsseparated by air or mounted on the same insulator, standard which havefor purpose to avoid the creation of sparks. In the case where theseconductors are in a high position, hooked to the upper part of the rail,the diameter of the metallic wheels of the carriage, on a horizontalshaft, is reduced bearing in mind the volume occupied by the conductors,their insulators and the minimum space tolerated between the wheels andthe conductors. However, it is known that the rolling is all the betteras the diameter of the wheels is greater. In the case where theconductors are laterals, that is to say supported by insulators hookedto the lateral walls of the rail, the same space requirements previouslymentioned lead to the placing of the wheels in a very close manner inthe middle of the rail which is harmful this time to the stability andincreases the working rate in the ways by increasing the stresses.

it is also possible to use wheels made of electrically insulatingmaterial, plastics for example, but the maximum carrying load, for thesame diameter wheels is less than that tolerated by using metallicwheels.

it is evidently possible to palliate to these drawbacks in various ways.it is for example possible in the case of conductors in a high positionto provide the wheels with caps of the mudguard type of insulatingmaterial, which makes it possible to bring them closer to the conductorsbeyond the standard distance. It is also possible to make the railswider or longer in such a way as to increase the diameter or the spacingof the wheels. in those cases the effect on the cost of material isimmediate.

lt has been sought to avoid this last drawback by making conductorsinwardly positioned with a'current outlet plug conceived in such a waythat it receives within it these conductors. The space saving isevidently immediate. However in such devices the conductors beingrigidly connected to the insulating sheath which supports them and thecurrent outlets being connected rigidly to the carriages, the contactbetween them and the conductor can be bad in particular in curved areas.These current outlets have been made floating by providing them withreturn springs which ensure constant contact with the conductor along agiven direction. This unidirectional mobility constitutes an additionaldegree of freedom relative to the conductor but is insufficient toensure a good contact.

The object of the present invention is an improvement in devices forsupplying electrical current to machines moving in or along one orseveral guide rails, devices comprising one or several linear conductorsconnected to the rail on which rub current outlets constantly brought incontact with conductors by elastic means, improvement characterized bythe fact that the current outlet unit receives the core carrying theconductors within it and that either because the core is flexible orbecause its connection with the guide rail is flexible, or because theunit is movable along several directions within the space comprehendedby the carriage, the assembly constituted by the current outlet unit andthe core carrying the conductors has several degrees of freedom relativeto the carriage and to the guide rail.

By way of nonlimiting example there will be described now theapplication of the improvement according to the invention to a carriagecarrying a hoisting apparatus and moving by means of carrying rollersalong an aerial monorail, with the aid of the accompanying drawing inwhich there can be seen:

MG. 1 is a general vertical cross-sectional view perpendicular to thedirection of the monorail of the device according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the suspended core.

FIG. 3 a perspective view of the unit carrying the contacts in theircradle.

H0. 4 a vertical cross-sectional view perpendicular to the direction ofthe monorail for a modification of the device according to the inventionwhich has two cores.

FIG. 5 a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the rail for amodification where the unit rests on an intermediate curved seat.

in FIG. ll, reference ll designates in schematic fashion a cross sectionof the monorail carrying two horizontal flanges 2 and 3 on which canroll roller 4 and 5 supporting the apparatus. These roller rotate aboutthe axis x'x through wheel beds 6 and 7 and a cradle, of any shape, hereparallelepipedal, 8, is connected to axles 9 and 10 of the wheel beds bysuitable means not forming a part of the present invention. A centralcore 11 connected to the upper side of rail 1 by a skirt l4 surmountedby a sectional interfitment l2 cooperating from place to place withprismatic cages 13 of the same shape as the interfitment 12, themselvesconnected to side 1 of the rail by any devices, for example by pins 15.The assembly of this support formed of skirt 14, of interfitments 12, ofcages l3 and of pins l5 ensures a link between plate ll and side 1 ofthe rail which can be either rigid or flexible and allowing core H tohave a pendular movement (arrow W) relative to side 1, according to thedesired modification. Naturally the hooking device of core ill. to theupper side i of the rail, here described, is only given by way of simpleexample, all other devices leading to the same rigidity or, to thecontrary, to the same freedom of pendular movement of core 11 can beused without departing from the scope of the invention. in particular itcan be seen by referring to FIG. 4 that there can be substituted for theassembly 12, 13, 14 and 15 previously mentioned one or several hooks 12passing through openings provided in skirt 1.4, from place to place,hooks which may be welded or fastened under side 1 of the rail, whichside is then entirely full.

On core it have been secured on both sides or on only one sideconductive lines l6, l7, l8, 19 in variable number. These lines can beordinary conductors of copper or of molybdenum, copper-aluminum or othermaterials secured by any suitable means to core 111 or can be made byprojecting on said core 11 with a gun or with a plasma gun and acontinuous band the previously mentioned conductors reduced to a poweror to a paste. Core it can be of insulating material in which case theconductors can be applied directly thereon or can be made of materialhaving variable conductivity in which case an insulating material willbe interposed between conductors l6, l7, l8, l9 etc. and core ll.

According to the invention there rests in cradle 8 a block 20 ofpreferably insulating material such as bakelite in which has beenprovided a groove 21. Core 11 is engaged in this groove in such a waythat its conductive bands l6, l7, 18 etc. face an equal number ofcurrent outlets 22, 23, 24, 25, etc. urged thereagainst by elasticmembers, here springs 26.

According to the invention core 11 can be either rigid and rigidlyconnected to side 1 or flexible and able to back and rigidly connectedto face 1, or rigid but connected in flexible manner to side 1 in such away that it can be given a pendular movement (arrow W), or at onceflexible, able to back, and connected flexibly to side It. In conformitywith the general characteristic of the present invention, block 20 isthen according to cases:

a. simply placed inside cradle 8 and very light and able to move with asufficient amplitude inside said cradle when the core is rigid andrigidly connected to its side 1 or even when i is rigid and connected toside 1 in such a way as to have a pendular movement (arrow W).

b. fixed or very slightly movable within cradle 8 when the core isrigidly connected to side 1 but flexible and able to back itself or atonce flexible and able to back and flexibly connected to side 1.

In this way, the best contact is constantly ensured between thecontactors or current outlets 22, 23, 24, 25, and the conductors locatedon core 11. Regardless .of the relative movements of one part of core 11relative to the rail and/or to the carriage and the other part of thecradle 8 relative to the rail and to core 11, contact remains perfectbetween the conductors and the current outlets.

Referring to FlGS. 2 and 3 there are seen in perspective the elementspreviously described. Core 11 can have excrescences of variable shapes.The device for fastening the core to wall 1 is discontinuous from placeto place. It can be continuous by welding or fastening on the upperside. Core 11 can have excrescences such as projection 27 for thepurpose of lengthening the leak between two superimposed conductors l7and 18. It is known that in effect there is reason for allow ing acertain space between two conductors separated by free air, and betweentwo conductors secured on the same insulator a greater space is requiredto avoid the formation of sparks. Certain countries have standardizedthese spaces in particular to 11 millimeters for conductors separated byair and to 37 millimeters for conductors carried by the same insulator.Consequently if the distance between conductors l7 and 18 is less thanthe standard distance of 37 millimeters a projection of type 27 shouldbe provided in order to bring the leak line to this length.

In FIG. 3 there are seen two current outlets 23, 23, and 24, 24'constantly urged by spring couples 26a, 26b, 26'a, 26'b, towardcontinuous conductive bands 17 and 18 of core 11. All other currentoutlet devices and all other means for stressing these can be usedwithout departing from the framework of the present invention. Block 20is simply positioned on the floor of cradle 8 and can move, itsmovements are limited by vertical skirts 8a, 812, etc. of the cradle.

Due to the device according to the invention, there can be seen byreferring more particularly to FIG. 1 that rollers 4 and in the shape ofwheels can occupy the-entire height of rail 1. This makes it possible toincrease to a maximum their diameter within a same rail which improvesthe rolling coefficient all the more that there are used on the contrarywheel beds which are smaller to those of rollers 4 and 5. The spacingalso favors more a good stability. Block 20 being preferably ofinsulating material, for example of bakelite, the problem of distancebetween rollers 4 and 5 and the conductors and contactors is alsoresolved, which makes it possible eventually in the measure wherestability is not a factor to reduce the width of rail 1.

Core 1 and the conductors it. carries can be made at a greatly decreasedcost in particular if continuous conductive bands as indicated above areprovided by spray guns or plasma guns. Core 11 can then be directly madeof plastic material by molding, extrusion, injection, covered by itsconductors, and cut off according to the needed sizes of the place wherethe machine is to operate; once secured in the place it can also be cutoff, twisted or modified according to other needs.

Another important advantage of the device according to the presentinvention relates precisely to the possibility for core 11 according toone modification to twist itself. As indicated above, if core 11 canthus twist itself and is connected flexibly to the side 1 of the rail,block 20 can be secured in semirigid fashion to the cradle 8. Besides,and especially according to the prior-art technique with upper orlateral rigid conductors fixed rigidly to the sides of the rail, it isnecessary, to avoid in curves relative movements of the machine withrespect to the rail, to provide a large contact area between the currentoutlets and the conductors. Thisrequires either the use of very largecurrent outlets or the use of devices urging the current outlets on theconductors permitting a considerable movement of the current outlets.The effect on the cost is immediate. The invention thus with respect tothis brings about an essential new industrial advantage since therelative movements of the carriage in curves are palliated in absolutemanner thanks to the mobility of the assembly formed by the blockcarrying the current outlets and by the core carrying the conductors,which are essential characteristics of the present device.

There has been shown finally in FIG. 4 a modification, among others, ofthe device according to the invention in which block 20 is replaced by ablock formed of two parts 20a and 20b comprising two grooves 21a and 21bin which are housed two cores 11a and 11b which are identical to core llabove described. To each of these two cores correspond two groups ofcurrent outlets urged towards one another by two groups of flexiblemembers. Cores 11a and 11b are secured to the upper side of rail 1 bydevices similar to those previously described.

It is possible to imagine all other positions of the core or of corescoated or carrying a variable number of conductors within rail 1.

These conductors can be located on both sides or on a single side of theor the several cores. In this latter case, the current outletscorresponding to one of the sides of the core will be replaced by simplesupporting members.

Finally there has been shown in FIG. 5, another modification which givesanother type of mobility to block 20 with respect to cradle 8. To thiseffect, block 20 rests not directly on the flat bottom of cradle 8 butin a seat 8 the upper side of which 28 is curved. Seat 8 is itselfmovable in one or several directions with respect to cradle 8. Block 20is also movable in one or several directions in the curved recess 28 ofseat 8. This can in certain cases facilitate the maintenance of contactbetween outlets 22, 23, 24, or 25, and the plated conductors of core 11.

As indicated in the preamble this device can also be used with all othercarriage devices supporting all types of hoisting and transportingmachines which move along one or several guides by which they aresupported or to which they are suspended. In particular this device canbe used judiciously with vehicles moving on a rail with theinterposition of an air cushion between the rail and the vehicle andthis in order to provide electricity to said vehicle.

Finally the scope of the invention will not be avoided by using asimilar device after simply rotating the same, that is by using anoblique or horizontal core and a block having an oblique or horizontalcut 21, the assembly having one or several characteristics of thepresent invention.

I claim:

1. In combination with a guide rail and a carriage travelling on saidguide rail, means for supplying electric current to said carriagecomprising an insulating core extending longitudinally ofsaid guide railand movably supported for movement laterally of said guide rail, atleast one conductor extending longitudinally on and carried by saidcore, a cradle fixedly carried by said carriage, an insulating blockresting in said cradle and straddling said core and at least one contactcarried by said block and resiliently pressed into engagement with saidconductor on said core.

2. A combination according to claim 1, in which said core is flexible.

3. A combination according to claim 1, in which said core is movablysuspended from said rail for movement laterally of said rail.

4. A combination according to claim 1, in which said core is flexibleand is flexibly suspended from said rail.

5. A combination according to claim 1, in which a plurality ofconductors are provided on the same side of said core and are separatedfrom one another by an intervening longitudinally extending insulatingprojection on said core.

6. A combination according to claim 1, in which said rail is of channelcross section with opposite side portions, a top portion connecting saidside portions and inturned bottom flanges projecting inwardly from saidside portions, said core being suspended from a central portion of saidtop portions, said carriage having load carrying wheels running on saidflanges and extending upwardly above said core.

7. A combination according to claim 1, in which said block is laterallymovable in said cradle.

8. A combination according to claim 1, in which said block is laterallytiltable in said cradle.

9. in combination with a guide rail and a carriage running on said guiderail, means for supplying electric current to said carriage comprisingan insulating core extending longitudinally of said guide rail andsupported thereby, at least one conductor extending longitudinally onand carried by said core, a cradle fixedly carried by said core, aninsulating block resting in said cradle and straddling said core and atleast one contact carried by said block and resiliently pressed intoengagement with said conductor on said core, said block being laterallymovable in said cradle.

10. A combination according to claim9, in which said cradle has a bottomportion on which said block rests, end portions constraining said blockin a longitudinal direction and side portions limiting lateral movementof said block in said cradle.

11. A combination according to claim 9, in whichsaid cradle and blockhave interengaging surfaces at least one of which is curved to permitlateral tilting of said block in said cradle.

12. The combination of a rail of channel cross section having sideportions, a top portion connecting said side portions, and inturnedbottom flanges projecting inwardly from said side portions, aninsulating core suspended from said top portion in said channel betweensaid side portions, at least one conductor extending longitudinally ofand carried by said core, a carriage having load carrying wheels runningon said flanges and extending upwardly substantially to said top portionof the rail, an insulating block of U-shaped cross section straddlingsaid core, said block being disposed between said wheels and beingsupported by and movable longitudinally with said carriage, at least onecontact carried by said block and resiliently pressed into engagementwith said block, and said core and said block being movable relative toeach other laterally of said rail.

1. In combination with a guide rail and a carriage travelling on saidguide rail, means for supplying electric current to said carriagecomprising an insulating core extending longitudinally of said guiderail and movably supported for movement laterally of said guide rail, atleast one conductor extending longitudinally on and carried by saidcore, a cradle fixedly carried by said carriage, an insulating blockresting in said cradle and straddling said core and at least one contactcarried by said block and resiliently pressed into engagement with saidconductor on said core.
 2. A combination according to claim 1, in whichsaid core is flexible.
 3. A combination according to claim 1, in whichsaid core is movably suspended from said rail for movement laterally ofsaid rail.
 4. A combination according to claim 1, in which said core isflexible and is flexibly suspended from said rail.
 5. A combinationaccording to claim 1, in which a plurality of conductors are provided onthe same side of said core and are separated from one another by anintervening longitudinally extending insulating projection on said core.6. A combination according to claim 1, in which said rail is of channelcross section with opposite side portions, a top portion connecting saidside portions and inturned bottom flanges projecting inwardly from saidside portions, said core being suspended from a central portion of saidtop portions, said carriage having load carrying wheels running on saidflanges and extending upwardly above said core.
 7. A combinationaccording to claim 1, in which said block is laterally movable in saidcradle.
 8. A combination according to claim 1, in which said block islaterally tiltable in said cradle.
 9. In combination with a guide railand a carriage running on said guide rail, means for supplying electriccurrent to said carriage comprising an insulating core extendinglongitudinally of said guide rail and supported thereby, at least oneconductor extending longitudinally on and carried by said core, a cradlefixedly carried by said core, an insulating block resting in said cradleand straddling said core and at least one contact carried by said blockand resiliently pressed into engagement with said conductor on saidcore, said block being laterally movable in said cradle.
 10. Acombination according to claim 9, in which said cradle has a bottomportion on which said block rests, end portions constraining said blockin a longitudinal direction and side portions limiting lateral movementof said block in said cradle.
 11. A combination according to claim 9, inwhich said cradle and block have interengaging surfaces at least one ofwhich is curved to permit lateral tilting of said block in said cradle.12. The combination of a rail of channel cross section having sideportions, a top portion connecting said side portions, and inturnedbottom flanges projecting inwardly from said side portions, aninsulating core suspended from said top portion in said channel betweensaid side portions, at least one conductor extending longitudinally ofand carried by said core, a carriage having load carrying wheels runningon said flanges and extending upwardly substantially to said top portionof the rail, an insulating block of U-shaped cross section straddlingsaid core, said block Being disposed between said wheels and beingsupported by and movable longitudinally with said carriage, at least onecontact carried by said block and resiliently pressed into engagementwith said block, and said core and said block being movable relative toeach other laterally of said rail.